shop online at www.missourivalleyshopper.com August 30, 2016 • Page 11 State ACT scores remain steady, above national average WEED Project at the South Dakota State Fair BROOKINGS, S.D. - For more than 50 years the SDSU Extension WEED Project has answered South Dakotans' questions during the State Fair in Huron. 2016 will be no different. This year, the feature will be South Dakota Weed species. "There is a lot of confusion on what weed species we have in the state and how we can control them," explained Paul O. Johnson, SDSU Extension Weed Science Coordinator. "Waterhemp and related pigweed species are of major concern to a lot of our farmers around the state we will be there to talk about them and help to look at control options." Johnson said the SDSU Extension WEED Project is fairgoers one-stop location to get their questions answered by the experts. Serving South Dakotans for 50 years The SDSU Extension WEED project has been housed in the EXPO Building since 1976. "The weed display will have crop and pasture weeds along with a lawn and garden weed area," said Johnson. The display is host to several publications fairgoers can take home to read up more on the area of their concern. Most of the information can also be accessed on the SDSU Extension web site iGrow. PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota’s average composite ACT score remains steady and above the national average, according to data released earlier today. The statewide composite score for the graduating class of 2016 – which includes scores for English, math, reading and science – was 21.9, versus the national average of 20.8. About 76 percent of 2016 South Dakota graduates took the ACT, and the number of students in all minority groups who took the test stayed the same or increased from last year. This increase is encouraging, since South Dakota students are not required to take the ACT. “By taking the ACT, students take a step in planning their future,” said Secretary of Education Dr. Melody Schopp. “After graduation, students may go on to a technical institute, university or directly into the workforce. Success in today’s world demands that whatever their path, students must be ready. The best way for them to prepare is by continuing to challenge themselves academically all the way through high school.” The data shows that students who take rigorous courses, like trigonometry, calculus, chemistry, physics and four years of English in high school are more likely to meet ACT’s benchmark scores. A benchmark score is the minimum score needed on an ACT subject-area test to indicate a 50 percent chance of obtaining a B or higher or about a 75 percent chance of obtaining a C or higher in the corresponding credit-bearing college course. ACT has long been an important indicator when considering students’ readiness to take collegelevel courses. South Dakota’s public universities now also look at performance on the state assessment at grade 11 as another indicator of a student’s readiness. For more information, visit ACT’s website at www.act.org. ********************************************* It is our mission to positively impact area youth through fostering one-to-one friendships with caring adult mentors who help facilitate positive character. We provide friendship and serve as role model to a young person (Little Friend). We spend about 2 hours a week with our Little Friends during which time we are encouraging new experiences, develop mutual respect, and providing them the opportunity to express their interests and needs. We also establish communication with parents so meeting plans can be discussed. Every month we provide a fun function at no expense to Little Friends. These are group activities attended by Big and Little Friends and families of Little Friends. Fun Functions include kayaking, a trip to Wild Water West, pumpkin carving, Thanksgiving dinner, airplane ride, archery, games in the park, to name a few. All gatherings have a reference to the 6 pillars of Character Counts. We also spend an evening every month at Majestic Bluffs visiting and playing games with residents. We also have provided some tutoring with the help of some Mount Marty students during the school year for some of the Little Friends. Of course, Big Friends also benefit from these relationships. To quote Ralph Waldo Emerson: “It is one of the beautiful compensations of this life that no one can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.” If you are interested in becoming a Big Friend, please call us at 665-6365. For more information, please go to our website: bigfriendlittlefriend.org. 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